WHITEHORSE—Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate Elaine Taylor is in New York City this week where she will be taking part in the 60th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) as part of Canada's official delegation.

On Monday afternoon, at the invitation of the Government of Canada, Taylor will speak on behalf of Canada on the topic of gender-data design, collection and analysis. She will also deliver a stand-alone presentation on Yukon's innovative work on gender equality.

"Advancing gender equality through policies, training and information sharing is a priority for the Government of Yukon and an area where we're making great progress," Taylor said. "I look forward to representing Canada on this important topic and sharing Yukon's leading approach to gender equality, including the prevention of gender-based violence, in particular against Indigenous women and girls."

Taylor will attend a number of Government of Canada-sponsored events, including a discussion on violence against women and girls with ministers from Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand and Australia. Minister Taylor will also join the federal Minister responsible for the Status of Women Patty Hajdu and other provincial and territorial ministers for a number of bilateral discussions with their international counterparts.

"The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is a unique opportunity for Yukon to contribute to the global conversation by sharing our successes and learning from other regions," Taylor said. "Securing women's and girls' rights and ensuring no-one is left behind is a bold vision that Yukon shares."

Canada's delegation is being led by Minister of Status of Women Patty Hajdu, and includes: Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett; Minister of Justice and Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould; Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau; Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women Anju Dhillon; provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the Status of Women; and a number of non-governmental organizations including the Native Women's Association of Canada.

This year’s UNCSW session focuses on women's empowerment and the link to sustainable development. It also includes a review of progress made on the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, which was the focus of the 57th session. The UN session runs from March 14 to 24.